Friday, January 2, 2009

2008 Year in Review

Well, I guess it's time for me to do my year in review.While I didn't keep track of my mileage for the first 3 months of 2008, I know I put in mileage, because I was training for the Ocean Drive Marathon/10 miler. I do remember a few bitterly cold runs, in preparation for the 10 miler. The year started out good, with a PR at the Hangover 5 miler, and I followed that up with a PR at the OD 10 miler. Hey, when your times aren't that good to start, it's easy to PR. I ran a new local 5k, put on by a High School senior, in April, and it was a well organized event. Again another PR, at 24:05. I would spend the next few 5k's trying to break the 24 min barrier.I would have done it at the Run for Dad, but I had the shoelace issue. Backing up a bit, it was after the OC Drive run, that I gave serious thought to running a marathon. The determination of the marathoners that day, was awesome. To run 26.2 miles is one thing. To run it in a 20mph headwind is sick!In June, I started to bump up my weekly mileage. On a warm Sunday, I ran to Veteran's Park, entered and ran a 5k, and ran home. It was quite an accomplishment. I met some great runners, who have made me a better runner. I am indebted to them for making my first 1/2 marathon & marathon a success. I finally broke that 24 min 5k I wanted, in July at the RWJ 5k stride for strokes.I started my marathon training at the end of July, and pretty much went injury free the entire time. There was the one fall I had in Cape May.I ran the Philadelphia Distance Run in Sept. It was my first 1/2 marathon, and it was awesome. I can't wait to run it again this year. Fast forward to November 23, 2008. This was a day I'll never forget. My first marathon. It was incredible. I enjoyed every moment of it, even the painful last 2 miles. I had a great time, and it was made more special by being able to share the experience with my wife, her sis & husband.Following the marathon, I ran my last local 5k of the year, and set another PR, of 22:02, and placed in my age group (another first).Also through running, I started to run on Saturday's with a group of runners, on the trails of Mercer County Park. They are a dedicated bunch, and I love running with them.Looking back, man is going to be tough to top the success I had in 2008, but I'm off to a great start, if the ankle holds up!